Coast Guard interdicts lancha crew illegally fishing in US

A lancha and fishing gear were seized and brought back to shore after Coast Guard crews stopped the lancha, with a total of five Mexican fishermen who admitted to fishing illegally, in U.S. waters off Texas March 23, 2017. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

On Thursday evening, Coast Guard crews stopped the lancha, with a total of five Mexican fishermen who admitted to fishing illegally in U.S. waters. The lancha, and fishing gear found aboard, were seized. The Mexican fishermen were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents for processing.

A lancha is a Mexican fishing boat that is approximately 20-30 feet long with a slender profile, typically has one outboard motor, is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour, and is used to fish illegally in the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S./Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico.

If you witness suspicious or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore), please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-6393.